By law, building owners and contractors working in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC must secure any ladders, scaffolds, corresponding equipment and other objects from falling at construction sites. Those who are injured as a result of equipment failure or of falls from scaffolds or ladders have a right to sue contracting companies, building owners and related agents. A qualified Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia scaffold accident lawyer can help you determine if you are eligible for compensation.
How Scaffold and Ladder Accidents Happen
Scaffold and ladder accidents occur when the owners or operators of construction equipment do not properly secure, maintain or use property. Such accidents can occur as a result of the scaffolds or ladders themselves failing, resulting in falls or as a result of objects falling onto or from scaffolds or ladders. Such accidents can be caused by a number of factors:
- Reckless behavior
- Negligence
- Defective equipment
- Equipment improperly installed
- Greasy steps
- Equipment maintained poorly
- Failure of equipment support features
Such incidents can result in any of the following types of injuries:
- Head trauma
- Back, neck or spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Death
Documenting Your Scaffold and Ladder Accident
Once you have sought and received the necessary medical treatment from a scaffold or ladder incident, you should then begin the process of documenting the accident and contacting a qualified Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC ladder accident lawyer.
If your accident involved a scaffold, you should determine whether the scaffold was installed properly, who erected the unit, whether there were defects in any of the components of the scaffold that caused it to fall and whether proper safety features were installed onto the scaffold.
If your accident involved a ladder, you should determine whether the ladder was properly set up, whether it was level, whether it had any defective parts and whether a third party or subcontractor bumped or knocked over the ladder or caused damage to it in any way.
What to do After Your Scaffold and Ladder Accident
Scaffold and ladder injuries make up a large percentage of injuries from falls at construction sites in the Washington DC Metropolitan area. If you are a victim of such an incident, it is important that you seek proper representation to help you potentially recover damages such as medical bills and rehabilitation therapy. An experienced Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia ladder accident attorney at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P., can help you recover compensation. |
